Happy National Pie Day! Celebrating with Sweet, Spiced Peach Pocket Pies
There’s something truly magical about pie, isn’t there? Whether it’s the comforting aroma wafting from the oven, the flaky crust, or the sweet, fruity filling, pie holds a special place in our hearts and on our plates. Today, we celebrate National Pie Day, a perfect excuse to indulge in this timeless dessert. And what better way to honor the occasion than with adorable, individually portioned, heart-shaped spiced peach pocket pies?
Heart-shaped spiced peach pie pockets: A delightful treat for any occasion.
Discovering the Charm of Pocket Pie Presses
My journey to these delightful spiced peach pocket pies began a week or so ago when I stumbled upon these utterly *adorable* pocket pie presses made by Nordic Ware. It was love at first sight! For anyone who adores charming kitchen gadgets and individual serving desserts, these presses are an absolute game-changer. They make creating perfectly shaped, uniform hand pies incredibly simple and fun. The heart shape, in particular, captured my attention instantly, combining my love for all things heart-themed with my undeniable passion for pie.
I (heart) Pie – and these presses make it even easier to show it!
This morning, with National Pie Day firmly in mind, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to put my new Nordic Ware pie presses to good use and bake up something truly special for dessert. After all, what makes a Monday better than anticipating a sweet, homemade treat?
Crafting the Perfect Spiced Peach Filling
The initial challenge was deciding on the perfect filling. The recipe provided by Nordic Ware suggested raspberry, and while I certainly enjoy raspberries, my eldest daughter has a strong aversion to anything with seeds. So, raspberries were out of the question for a family dessert. I needed a filling that was universally appealing and could be easily enhanced with warm, inviting spices.
My mind quickly settled on a spiced peach pie filling. Peaches offer a wonderful sweetness and a soft texture that complements a flaky crust beautifully. To create this flavorful filling, I started with a convenient can of peach pie filling. This shortcut saved a significant amount of time, allowing me to focus on customizing the flavors. I carefully cut the larger peach slices into smaller, bite-sized pieces, ensuring an even distribution of fruit in every pocket pie.
The real magic happened when I introduced the spices. To elevate the natural sweetness of the peaches, I added a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger and a delicate pinch of ground cloves. Ginger provides a bright, zesty warmth, while cloves contribute a deep, aromatic sweetness that perfectly complements the peaches. These spices transform a simple peach filling into something extraordinary, making each bite a harmonious blend of fruit and warming spices.
Just a pinch of ginger and cloves creates a wonderfully aromatic spiced peach pie filling.
The Crust: Homemade vs. Convenience
When it comes to pie crust, I *almost* always prefer to make my own from scratch. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in creating a perfectly flaky, buttery crust. However, on a busy National Pie Day and with a desire for quick and cute results, I decided to “cheat” a little and opted for the Pillsbury roll-out pie crusts. And honestly, they worked just great! These pre-made crusts are incredibly convenient, saving a lot of time and effort without compromising too much on taste or texture. They roll out beautifully and are perfectly pliable for pressing into shapes with the Nordic Ware tools.
For those who prefer a homemade crust, a classic butter crust recipe would be ideal. The key is to keep the butter very cold and avoid overworking the dough for maximum flakiness. Regardless of whether you choose homemade or store-bought, the goal is a tender, golden crust that cradles the spiced peach filling perfectly.
Assembling Your Heart-Shaped Peach Pie Pockets
Once the spiced peach filling was prepared and the crusts were ready, it was time for assembly. The Nordic Ware pie presses simplify this step considerably. Following the instructions on the package, I rolled out the Pillsbury crusts and used the press to cut out the initial heart shapes.
Before sealing, I lightly brushed the edges of one crust heart with a beaten egg. This egg wash acts as a wonderful adhesive, ensuring a tight seal for the pocket pies. Then, I carefully spooned about two tablespoons of the spiced peach filling onto the center of the egg-washed crust. The next step was simply to place the second crust heart on top and press the pie press firmly to seal the edges and create those charming crimped borders.
After gently removing each perfectly formed pocket pie from the press, I arranged them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. To achieve that beautiful golden-brown finish and add another layer of flavor, I brushed the tops of the pies with more beaten egg and generously sprinkled them with a cinnamon sugar mixture. This sugar not only caramelizes beautifully in the oven but also amplifies the warm spice notes of the filling. The visual appeal before baking was already promising!
A Nostalgic Treat: Grandma’s Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust
As I was preparing these pies, a sweet memory from my childhood came flooding back. My Grandma was an incredible baker, and when I visited her, she would always make my favorite pie: Chocolate Meringue. Her pie crust was legendary – perfectly flaky, tender, and made with so much love. What I often looked forward to even more than the pie itself, however, was her special treat made from the leftover pie crust.
After she had prepared the main pie and it was ready for the oven, there was always some extra crust dough. She would roll out these precious scraps for me, dust them generously with cinnamon and sugar, and then bake them alongside the main pie. I would stand by the oven, captivated, watching those simple pieces of dough puff up and turn golden, filling the kitchen with an irresistible cinnamon aroma. It was a small gesture, but one that instilled in me a profound love for baking and the simple joys of a homemade treat.
Today, with the leftover pie crust from my pocket pies, I decided to recreate that cherished memory. I used a medium-sized scalloped heart cookie cutter to cut out whimsical heart shapes from the remaining dough. Just like Grandma used to do, I brushed them with beaten egg and dusted them with plenty of cinnamon and sugar. It felt wonderful to connect with that sweet past while creating new memories in my own kitchen.
Heart-shaped cinnamon sugar crusts, dusted and ready for their brief bake.
Baking to Golden Perfection and Enjoying the Fruits of Labor
The pocket pies baked surprisingly quickly, needing only about 15 minutes in a 400-degree oven. The kitchen soon filled with the most *heavenly* scent – a delightful mix of warm peaches, spicy ginger, cloves, and sweet cinnamon. The aroma alone was enough to make your mouth water!
Warm from the oven, golden and fragrant.
The smaller cinnamon sugar hearts baked even faster, needing only about 9 minutes to puff up beautifully and turn a delicate golden brown. Seeing them emerge from the oven, all puffy and inviting, brought a smile to my face, reminiscent of those childhood moments.
I love how these cinnamon sugar hearts got all puffy and crispy!
Of course, a baker’s privilege includes sampling the goods! I made a few extra heart-shaped peach pocket pies, and couldn’t resist enjoying a couple with my morning coffee while they were still warm. The flaky crust, the sweet and spicy peach filling – it was seriously, so. darn. good. The individual portions are perfect for serving, making them an ideal dessert for parties, picnics, or a cozy family evening.
To make this dessert even more indulgent, I plan on serving these exquisite spiced peach pocket pies with a scoop of Blue Bunny Cinnamon ice cream. The creamy, cool cinnamon notes of the ice cream will perfectly complement the warm, spiced peaches. What’s more, there was plenty of filling left over, so topping the ice cream with a generous spoonful of the extra peach mixture is an outstanding idea! This creates a harmonious blend of textures and temperatures that elevates the entire dessert experience.
Mmmmm, yummy – the perfect pairing for a sweet dessert.
Recipe: Heart Shaped Spiced Peach Pocket Pies
These delightful heart-shaped spiced peach pocket pies offer a taste of warmth and comfort, ideal for celebrating National Pie Day or simply bringing a smile to your loved ones’ faces. The combination of sweet peaches, aromatic spices, and a golden, flaky crust makes for an unforgettable treat.
Yields: 6 pies
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Heart Shaped Spiced Peach Pocket Pies, Peach Pie Recipe, Easy Hand Pies
Ingredients:
- 1 can (approximately 21 oz) peach pie filling, peaches cut into smaller pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- A pinch of ground cloves
- 2 Pillsbury roll-out pie crusts (or your favorite homemade pie crust recipe)
- Cinnamon sugar mixture (about 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the peach pie filling with the ground ginger and ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.
- Unroll your pie crusts. If using a pocket pie press (like Nordic Ware), follow its directions to cut out the pie pocket shapes. Each standard pie crust should yield at least 2 pockets initially.
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the outer edges of one heart-shaped crust with the beaten egg. This will help seal the pie.
- Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the spiced peach filling onto the center of the egg-washed crust. Be careful not to overfill.
- Place the second heart-shaped crust on top, aligning the edges. Press firmly with the pie press to seal the edges and create a decorative crimp.
- Carefully remove the sealed pocket pie from the press and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the tops of all assembled pies with the remaining beaten egg and generously sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake the pies in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and puffed. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
- Allow the pies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Notes:
- From the two Pillsbury crusts, I was able to make five pocket pies after re-rolling the leftover dough. You might be able to get six depending on how efficiently you cut and re-roll.
- Don’t forget the leftover pie crust scraps! Re-roll them, cut into fun shapes (like hearts!), brush with egg, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake these small cinnamon crust pieces for about 9 minutes, or until golden and puffy. They make a wonderful snack!
- If you prefer a homemade pie crust, prepare it in advance and ensure it’s well-chilled before rolling.
- For variations, consider other fruit fillings like apple, cherry, or even a savory option like spiced sweet potato.
This was seriously, so. darn. good. The perfect balance of sweet, spice, and flaky crust!
Happy Monday, and Happy National Pie Day, friends! I hope this recipe inspires you to create your own delightful pie memories.
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